- Orchestra will be joined by rock band and vocalists to perform symphony-laden versions of “Go Your Own Way,” “Come Sail Away,” “Listen to the Music,” and more
Detroit, (January 8, 2020) – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is excited to present its first PNC Pops Series program of the new year: The Vinyl Years: Songs of Fleetwood Mac, Styx, & More.
Conductor Michael Krajewski will conduct the orchestra and a full rock band including vocalists Lori Zabka, Shem von Schroeck, and Micah Wilshire. The program includes symphony-laden versions of classic rock favorites by The Doobie Brothers, Toto, Styx, Fleetwood Mac, and more.
The concerts take place Friday, January 17 at 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, January 18 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, January 19 at 3 p.m. at Orchestra Hall, within Midtown Detroit’s Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center.
In 2017, the DSO’s pops programming took on a fresh title: the PNC Pops Series, thanks to the generous support of PNC Bank. “This is a terrific series that showcases both the DSO and a wide variety of popular music, said Ric DeVore, PNC regional president for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. “That combination is sure to put a smile on the faces of everyone who attends the concerts.”
Thanks to a generous grant from the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of North American automaker FCA US, the DSO welcomes military veterans, active military, and their families to access discounted tickets for the 8 p.m. performance on Friday, January 17 and the 3 p.m. performance on Sunday, January 19. See below for more information about the ticket discount. The FCA Foundation and the DSO thank our veterans and active military members for their service.
About Michael Krajewski
Known for his entertaining programs and engaging personality, Michael Krajewski is a highly sought-after North American pops conductor.
His 20-year relationship with the Houston Symphony included 17 years as principal pops conductor. He also served as principal pops conductor of the Long Beach Symphony for 11 years, principal pops conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for eight years, and music director of The Philly Pops for six years. He is currently principal pops conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony, a post he has held for 24 years.
Krajewski’s busy schedule as a guest conductor includes concerts with major and regional orchestras across the United States. In Canada he has appeared with the orchestras of Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, and Kitchener-Waterloo. Overseas he has performed in Ireland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Malaysia, and China.
Born in Detroit, Krajewski studied music education at Wayne State University and conducting at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music. He now lives in Florida with his wife Darcy. In his spare time he enjoys travel, photography, and solving crossword puzzles.
About Lori Zabka
Lori Zabka is a professional singer and certified nutrition coach, personal trainer, and wellness advocate. Zabka was one half of the duo Wilshire, whose single “Special” hit the Billboard Top 20 in 2003; while preparing for a Wilshire tour she was inspired by the work of her nutritionist and personal trainer and decided to expand her expertise beyond the world of singing. She now proudly operates Life by Lori Z, a blog and wellness services company aimed at helping busy women lead healthy lives.
Zabka was born and raised in Houston. She studied music at Belmont University in Nashville, where she was introduced to gospel artist Michael W. Smith, with whom she toured and co-wrote songs for several years. In addition to her work with Smith and Wilshire, Zabka has performed with several top American orchestras, lent her voice to TV commercials for Mercedes-Benz and Claritin, and kept busy as a session singer and songwriter.
About Shem von Schroek
Shem von Schroeck is a veteran of the stage and recording studio who has performed in all 50 states and 44 countries as a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and music director. He is currently the bassist and principal backing vocalist for the legendary rock band Toto and has toured with Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, David Foster, Don Felder, Patti Austin, Stephen Stills, and many others.
Von Schroeck made his professional opera debut with the Döbeln-Freiberg Mittelsächsisches Theatre as Spoletta in Puccini’s Tosca. He is a regular tenor soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, The Philly Pops, and the Jacksonville Symphony. He has also conducted and performed in pops concerts with the the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Boston Pops Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, among others.
About Micah Wilshire
Micah Wilshire is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer who splits his time between Nashville and Los Angeles. He is a first call session vocalist and guitarist who has appeared on countless recordings and jingles, including on several Gold and Platinum certified albums. He is currently VP of TV/Film for Young Guns Publishing, and his debut solo album Manifesto is out now.
Wilshire’s songwriting credits include top placements for TV, including Sons of Anarchy, Modern Family, Dexter, and the 2014 Winter Olympics; his work has also been featured in several commercials. His producer credits include Cassio Monroe’s “Under The Lights,” Brett Eldredge’s “Bring You Back,” Wes Mack’s “Before You Drive Me Crazy,” and more. Wilshire is the cofounder and namesake of the early 2000s band Wilshire.
Ticket Information
Tickets for The Vinyl Years: Songs of Fleetwood Mac, Styx, & More begin at $24 and can be purchased at dso.org, by calling (313) 576-5111, or in-person at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center Box Office (3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit).
Groups of 10 or more can save up to 30% on the price of a single ticket for most DSO concerts. For more information, contact Group Sales Manager Jim Sabatella at (313) 576-5130 or jsabatella@dso.org.
Veterans, active military, and their families may use the code HEROES1920 to unlock $10 tickets for the 8 p.m. concert on Friday, January 17 and the 3 p.m. concert on Sunday, January 19. The code can be used at dso.org or by calling the Box Office at (313) 576-5111.
About the DSO
The most accessible orchestra on the planet, the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. As a community-supported orchestra, generous giving by individuals and institutions at all levels drives the continued success and growth of the institution. Conductor Leonard Slatkin, who recently concluded an acclaimed decade-long tenure at the helm, now serves as the DSO’s Music Director Laureate, endowed by the Kresge Foundation. Celebrated conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik is the orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor, while the outstanding trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO offers a performance schedule that features Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. One of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, Orchestra Hall celebrates its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in seven metro area venues, as well as a robust schedule of eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series, which also reaches tens of thousands of children with the Classroom Edition expansion. With growing attendance and unwavering philanthropic support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to embrace and inspire individuals, families, and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences.